Turning back the clock …

Handsome young Archer Clark Redmond Turner was reported to have been standing not ten feet away from General Robert E. Lee at the surrender ceremony ending the Civil War. The young soldier returned home to his family in Calcasieu Parish, where he married neighbor (and possible childhood friend) Jane Gill. They built a home near Archy’s parents house, likely on land owned by Stephen and Mary Turner. This is the home where they raised children and farmed.

Recently, Jackie Melsheimer, great-great-grandaughter of Archie and Jane, came into possession of the old house that was about to be destroyed. She and her dad, Dwaine Horton, great-grandson of Archie and Jane, decided to move the house to Jackie’s farm and restore it!

Before and after photos (shown below) reflect the progress. Many of the home’s original features were uncovered in the process of disassembling and moving. The dogtrot has been restored, and a kitchen (originally unattached to the main home) has been separated.

Reportedly, at one point in the home’s history, the Turner family had hitched mules to the kitchen house and dragged it to the main house for attachment.

The dogtrot area will house a collection of Archy’s Civil War records and other family momentos. Santa will be on the porch of the Turner house at Christmas for nostalgic photo ops with children. It promises to be a special new attraction at CM Farms in seasons to come. No doubt Archy and Jane would be proud.

Watch for the addition of Civil War records of Archie and brothers John and William, as well as more family photos, cemetery images, family group sheets, details of the family’s life in Holmes County, Florida prior to migrating to Louisiana … and more!

Watch Jackie’s blog for more stores of the Turner family. Go to FlickR to see a photo set chronicling the relocation and restoration process!